The ALS Blog - Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd

Zebra YMCKO Colour Ribbon Now Available

2011-07-27T16:24:00.004+01:00

YMCKO Ribbon - Zebra Part # 800015-140

Due to popular demand, the ALS on-line store for labels and ribbons is happy to announce they have added the Zebra YMCKO 5 panel, multi-colour, thermal ribbon to their range of stock items. The ribbons are suitable for the popular Zebra i-Series range of card printers including the P330i & P430i models and are genuine, UK-sourced, original Zebra products. Priced competitively and available for next-day delivery within the UK, they are sure to be another popular item!

www.als-store.co.uk

Call direct on: 01844 264 835

consumables@als-eu.com

Website Takes Hassle Out of Buying Thermal Transfer Ribbon

2011-01-20T14:20:00.000Z

A new website has been launched that aims to take the hassle out of buying thermal transfer ribbons and roll labels, while offering the best possible prices and quickest delivery, within the UK.

ALS Labels Ltd, the consumables arm of labelling machinery company Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd, has recently re-launched its label and ribbon website, http://www.als-store.co.uk/, to incorporate a greater range and with ease of use in mind. ALS sell thermal ribbons and labels for more makes and models of thermal transfer printers, print and apply engines and thermal coders.

Printers & Coders Now Supported:

ALS
Avery Dennison
Allen Coding
Markem SmartDate
Novexx
Printronix
Sato
Soabar
Zebra .... and more to follow soon!

3 Simple Steps Makes Selection Easy!

With so many manchines on the market, each requiring the ink coating to be wound specifically either inside or outside, some with core and roll size restrictions, selecting the correct specification of ribbon can be a little daunting if you are unsure. Therefore the new website, http://www.als-store.co.uk/ features a useful 3-Step selection process, to help users find the right ribbon, by simply entering the make, model and grade they need.

The website then lists all relevent ribbons that will fit the user's machine and present options such as the original brand ribbon and a quality ALS branded compatible. For all ribbon sizes, live stock levels are shown, many available for immediate next-day despatch. Payment is safe and secure, handled by PayPal so users can use their account or just opt to use any standard major credit card.

Genuine vs "Compatibles"

There are good reasons to buy genuine, manufacture branded ribbons, such as peace of mind, print head warranties and company quality standards. However, a good quality "compatible" ribbon, from a reputable manufacture is definately worth consideration. A word of caution though, like everything in life, when selecting a compatible ribbon to your printer manufacture's offering, there are good, bad - and then awful. So, as a maachinery manufacture that needs to offer print head warranties themselves, ALS had to select a reputable, consistent manufacture of quality thermal transfer ribbon. One such company is Armor, a French company and the largest manufacture of thermal transfer ribbons in the World. Its no secret that Armor make the branded ribbons for most of the main thermal transfer printer and coder manufactures, so you can be assured that the quality is the best. ALS is proud to sell both genuine branded ribbons from the likes of Zebra, plus high quality compatible ribbons from Armor and other specialist suppliers. While the new web site will often provide the user with a choice, one thing the user won't get is a product that pretends to be something it isn't! If its a genuine Zebra ribbon you order - that's what you'll get. For anyone seriously considering changing their supplier and want reassurance that the products are right for them, ALS will gladly supply sample rolls.

Talk to Real People!

ALS realise that not everyone likes dealing through faceless websites, so if there is something you would like to discuss or enquire, the phone number is displayed big and bold at the top of the screen, which dials straight through to the sales department in Thame, Oxfordshire - and no annoying automated message options! Call them on 01844 264835.

New Year Discount

Despite material price increases that have been occuring across all manufactures of thermal transfer ribbons, and labels, ALS is convinced their prices remain competitive and to start the year off even better, they are offering a further 10% discount off all orders during January and February. Click here to obtain special discount code.

Future Plans

ALS don't plan to stop there, expect to see that ribbon range increasing to support more makes and models, plus the introduction of a Print Head Shop and an industrial inkjet Ink Shop. Sounds like 2011 will be a busy year!

How Does Thermal Transfer Ribbon Work?

2010-11-03T13:11:00.000Z

How Does Thermal Transfer Ribbon Work?

Thermal transfer printing is a fast and clean process with no warm-up or cooling time required. It is not a wet or dirty process either and the results are instantly dry, requiring no curing. By using a single-pass ribbon, the print is perfect from the start to the very end of a roll, making it the standard for producing barcodes and variable information labels, on-demand.

A thermal transfer label printer from the likes of Avery, Sato, TEC, Zebra etc produces text, barcodes and graphics by using a fixed low-powered print head which spans the entire width of the print area. The print head comprises of a single row of thousands of tiny elements ("dots") of a size typically 8 or 12 dots per millimetre, yeilding a print resolution of 200dpi or 300dpi - but even 600dpi is available.

The Difference Between "Direct Thermal" and "Thermal Transfer":

A Direct Thermal printer uses the heat from the dots in the print head to activate a chemical coating in a specially produced thermal label, which darkens the area in contact with each dot, in order to produce the label image. A Thermal Transfer printer uses a thermal ribbon:-

Thermal transfer ribbon is a roll of clear plastic (PE) film coated on one side with a coloured pigment, or "ink", most commonly black (although many colours are available). Depending on the printing requirements, the coating can be formulated using either wax, resin or a mixture of both. The thermal transfer ribbon passes over the thermal print head, with the coated side pressed against the label surface. The heat energy produced by each dot causes the pigment to transfer off the carrier film and bond to the surface of the label.

The element dots which make up the print head are electronically heated up and cooled rapidly by the printer as both the label and ribbon pass under it at the same time. Speeds of 300mm per second and faster are quite achievable with the right match of ribbon, label and printer.

What is Meant By Flat Head and Near-Edge Print Heads?

There are two types of print head: "Flat" and "Near-Edge" and so there are two types of thermal ribbon. There are benefits of each technology which merits another article in its own right. One is neither "better" than the other without explanation but suffice to say, you must match your thermal transfer printer with the correct thermal transfer ribbon! For example, all Zebra printers use flat print-heads while others such as TEC, use near-edge. Avery Dennison and others produce a range of label printers that take both types, so it is essential to know which head is in your machine before you purchase the wrong ribbon. Using a flat head ribbon in a near edge printer or vice-versa, won't dammage the printer but you won't get very acceptable results. Beware though, you could drastically reduce your print head life by increasing print head temperature and increasing the head pressure excessively in attempt to improve print quality using the wrong type of ribbon! A false economy if ever there was one, as print heads aren't cheap.

Over time, thermal print heads will wear out eventually and you will notice this as each element "dot" stops working, the appearance of lines (actually, non-printed lines, to be correct) will get increasingly worse. The dots are like lightbulbs - one day one will stop working and more will tend to fail afterwards. However, it is quite ok to carry on printing with an odd dot "down" unless so many are missing that either the printed output looks a mess or worse still, they affect the readability of the barcode.

To prolong the life of your print head it is essential to use a good quality ribbon with a low-friction back coating which minimises wear on the head and to also match the correct ribbon to your printer, so that you can lower the head power and reduce the pressure applied. You should of course clean your print head regularly, the frequency of which is dependent on usage and will be advised by your printer/ribbon supplier.

Where Can I Buy Thermal Transfer Ribbons On-line?

Why not visit the ALS on-line store. We stock a wide range of ribbons, from general purpose wax grades, high performance wax/resin grades and pure resin ribbons for specialist applications, all in a wide choice of print widths and matched to your specific label printer model, many available for next-day delivery. There is also a handy Ribbon Finder, which guides you through a simple 3-step process to recommend ribbons that are compatible for your specific printer:

The ALS Store
Safe & Secure:
http://www.als-store.co.uk/

ALS are approved partners for Armor Ribbons and Zebra Ribbons.

For more specialist requirements or some help and advice, call us on 01844 264835

ALS Welcomes Dougie Wilson to the Sales Team

2010-09-24T14:18:00.002+01:00

Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) of Thame, Oxfordshire, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dougie Wilson to the position of Sales Engineer, for Scotland and North of England.

Dougie brings with him a wealth of experience having spent nearly 10 years at Avery Weigh-Tronix Ltd selling industrial weighing equipment and labelling machinery into many industries including; food, brewing & distilling, health industry & the NHS. With a technical engineering background, Dougie’s easy-going nature and ability to work with customers at all levels from shop floor to board level, enables him to understand his customers’ requirements and present solutions that meet their requirements within their budgets – the essential mix of qualities ALS was looking for!

When asked why he wanted to join the ALS team, Dougie commented, “It is tough selling capital equipment at the best of times but it is what I am good at and what I enjoy best. I wanted a new challenge that used all my technical and sales abilities to help me give customers in my region what they wanted. I had worked with the guys from ALS on numerous joint projects during my time at AWT and I always liked their approach to specifying and building labelling equipment. ALS has given me the freedom to work in my own way but it is good knowing I have the technical and commercial backup of the whole team supporting me whenever I need it.”

Outside working hours Dougie enjoys spending time with his family, playing keyboards and repairing motorbikes!

Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) is one of the UK's leading suppliers of labelling machinery and has regional sales engineers and service engineers across the country, so whether you are based in The North, Scotland or anywhere else in the UK and have a labelling requirement, please contact the ALS sales office on 01844 264821 or email sales@als-eu.com

ALS Labeller Gets a Big Brother

2010-09-23T11:20:00.000+01:00

Two Label Applicators with Some Unique Concepts:

When launched at the PPMA show back in 2008, the ALS 306 label applicator from Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) was the first of a truly unique range of modular label applicators. It has now been joined by the ALS 309, a wider version that takes 9-inch wide labels. With both, their modular concept and robust construction allows for high-speed, wide labels and flexible integration – which makes them ideally suited for highly demanding industrial applications.

They both use three industrial heavy-duty motor drives in a synchronised 'push-pull' arrangement, enabling constant web tension, so that all types of label materials can be handled with accuracy, at high line speeds. The powered unwind holds a large 400mm diameter roll and it can be placed in any of four possible positions to assist integrating on production lines. Two label roll holders can be installed on the same machine enabling the task to be faster still. The ALS 306 & 309 are uniquely upgradeable labellers, consisting of two easily removable modules: one for label dispensing and the other for rewinding. By undoing five screws, each module lifts straight out without needing to disconnect any wires or clips. This protects your investment should you need to upgrade to a wider, faster module later on - or add a thermal transfer print engine to convert it into a print & apply machine. Standard features include; Automatic Product Speed Following, web-break detection and tandem operation with a second machine for non-stop operation.

For more information or to arrange a free site survey,
Call Janet Wilson on 01844 213177
or email: sales@als-eu.com

Download a PDF Brochure: http://www.als-eu.com/downloads/files/ALS-306-309.pdf

Watch the original ALS 306 video below showing the many different configurations:

ALS Return to PACKTECH Show in 2011

2010-09-10T16:47:00.000+01:00

What: PACKTECH 2011
When: 16-17 Feb 2011
Where: NEC, Birmingham
Stand: D12

If you regularly attend the PPMA Show but you can't wait until September then there's a chance to see ALS and other machinery manufacturers at the easyfairs PACKTECH show in February next year. If you've never been to an easyfairs show its a little different in its style and approach, to PPMA and well worth a visit.

PACKTECH is now a well established annual event for packaging professionals seeking new solutions and operational efficiency in labelling machinery, packaging machinery, end-of-line equipment and transit packaging.

If you are a packaging engineer, production or operations manager, or a buyer of packaging and printing equipment, then this is definately your kind of show.

PACKTECH 2011 aims to give a glimpse into the future of packaging technologies, putting them in a business context and Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) will be there to show you the future of labelling!

See us on stand D12.

ALS Signs Up for PPMA Show 2011

2010-09-06T10:38:00.001+01:00

Advance notice that Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) will be exhibiting at next year's PPMA Show at the NEC.

The PPMA Show is one of the UK’s leading processing & packaging machinery exhibitions offering an unrivalled opportunity to view, evaluate and purchase the very best in cutting edge equipment and technologies to improve the productivity & profitability of your business.

As always, ALS will be showing the very latest in labelling and associated technologies, including product handling, barocode printing, scanning and detection, along side its core range of label applicators, print & apply, thermal coders and industrial inkjet units.

Add these dates to your SmartPhone's calender now!!!

Dates: 27 - 29 September 2011

ALS Stand: C20

New PCR Squeeze Tubes Help Reduce Carbon Footprint

2010-09-03T11:46:00.000+01:00

UK plastics manufacturer M&H Plastics, have recently added a new range of PCR flexible plastic tubes to their growing range of environmentally-responsive products. The polyethylene tube is manufactured from 50% PCR material whilst the shoulder uses 100% PCR.

PCR (Post Consumer Regrind) is plastic that has been recycled, which means it has been reprocessed to be used again in new manufacturing. PCR plastic conserves energy and non-renewable resources as recycling replaces the need for primary extraction and the manufacture of new plastics. M&H say that giving plastic a new life in this way helps their customers to reduce environmental impact by lowering their carbon footprint.

M&H offers a wide range of materials to meet the increased demand for environmentally-responsive products which can be viewed on their website: http://www.mhplastics.com/

For information on labelling flexible tubes, ALS offer many solutions from stand-alone, off-line machines to fully integrated, high-speed in-line systems. Click the link below for ALS tube labelling information:

http://www.als-eu.com/labelling/product/tubelabelling.html or email us at sales@als-eu.com

"Green" Solvent Free Thermal Ribbons (actually they're black!)

2010-06-22T10:54:00.001+01:00

ARMOR has recently announced the launch of SolFree, a unique Solvent Free Process which the company claims will revolutionise the Thermal Transfer ribbon market.

Pioneer and leader in Thermal Transfer ribbon technology for more than 25 years, ARMOR has brought significant improvements to the development of barcode and variable information printing in the label industry; always improving ribbon formulations for maximum user friendliness and outstanding performance with consistent high quality, as demonstrated by the many ISO certifications successfully obtained over the past 15 years.

A commitment to both environmental preservation and people safety was recognized in 2006 by ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications. ARMOR is now presenting a tangible result of this commitment with the launch of the 1st solvent free process for Thermal Transfer ribbon: SolFree.

Traditionally TTR manufacturing uses solvents during the coating process. With ARMOR’s innovation, for the 1st time, a ribbon is coated without using solvents. Popular wax ribbons of the range will benefit from SolFree, keeping exactly the same printing performance you enjoy today. ARMOR has made significant investments in this revolutionary technology, in R&D and industrial equipment to ensure high production capacity to satisfy the demand for such products. As volumes for ARMOR SolFree products increases, the Carbon Footprint of the company will decrease.

This major step forward for the industry in environmental preservation, also represents a guarantee of long term availability of TTR, should local and/or international regulations impose some drastic regulations on solvent consumption at any time in the future.

ARMOR solvent free ribbon will also enable the label industry to meet the requirements of the increasing number of end-users committed to sustainable development as they will be able to select their supplies with environmental preservation concerns.

To download a spec sheet or buy AWR 470 thermal ribbon from ALS, click here to visit the ALS Store.

ALS Take Orders at Exhibition!

2010-06-04T17:14:00.000+01:00

Exhibitions can be measured for success by how many good, qualified enquiries are taken and then by how many of these get converted into orders later on. The latter can take some time, as capital machinery projects often take months to come to fruition. However, the recent TOTAL Process and Packaging Show at the NEC Birmingham last week proved highly sucessful for Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) on both accounts.

ALS enquiry levels were up 15% over the number taken at the equivelent PPMA show last year, which is quite an achievement considering the economic conditions.

More impressively, two orders were placed, one was from a contract packing company in Yorkshire that came to the ALS stand with no previous knowledge of the company and ordered 2 x ALS 204 label applicators. The other was from a Bakery in Rugby, that placed an order for an ALS 204 and conveyor, as a direct result from seeing ALS again at the show.

The exhibits on show by ALS ranged from an intelligent camera-based barcode reader which was demonstrated scanning random DVD titles and individually price labelling each at a rate of 120 per minute, to security tagging machines for cosmetics, multi-media products and meat packs.

On show for the first time in the UK was the APLink range of industrial inkjet printers, featuring high quality definition for printing barcodes and text, ease of use and all manner of connectivty options. A new quick-dry UV ink model, gained considerable interest, as did all the models in the APLink range, as they are easy to maintain and benefit from low running costs.

The standard ALS range was represented by their ALX 924 and ALX 3138 print & apply machines and the popular ALS 204 compact labellers.

To view images of the ALS stand and exhibits at TOTAL 2010, click button below:

For more information call: 01844 213177 or email sales@als-eu.com

Big Names Join The Total Debate

2010-05-10T11:01:00.002+01:00

An impressive line up of companies and organisations will debate the topical industry issues and latest trends driving and shaping the packaging industry at the Packaging Innovation Seminars.

This will be one of the highlights of this year’s Total Processing & Packaging exhibition which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from 25-27 May.

Leading names taking part in the seminar programme, which is sponsored by Linx, organised by Faraday and supported by the BRC, The Packaging Society and WRAP, include PZ Cussons, GlaxoSmithKline, Euromonitor International, Reckitt Benckiser, Reach Further, Plastique ,Holmes & Marchant, MPMA and the Packaging Federation.

The programme runs over the three days of the exhibition and includes a keynote industry debate each afternoon. The Future of Retail looks at the growth of own-brand products, the influence of the internet and changing consumer behaviour and buying habits, while the Future of Packaging considers how the packaging industry will be affected by current social, economic, environmental, technological and political pressures and demands.

Resource Efficient Products and Packaging explores how design can help to manage reduced resources but still produce quality products and packaging.

Several presentations will focus on new and emerging technologies such as Nanotechnology, RFID and brand protection. The emergence of social media as a marketing tool and its potential for innovation in consumer goods and packaging will also be examined.

Speakers from leading companies will offer an insight into their future developments covering areas such as sourcing and commercialising innovation, delivering products of value and bringing R&D and commercial teams closer together.

The latest research findings will also be presented to help create a picture of the current state of the packaging markets both across the UK and globally.

Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) will be on stand 5800.

Sessions of York - Technical Support for Customers

2010-04-23T18:20:00.002+01:00

Technical Support for Customers of William Sessions Ltd Trading As Sessions of York now in administration from 21-04-10

For continuity of service and supply of original Avery Dennison spare parts for your Sessions of York label applicators, labelling machinery and thermal transfer printers, then Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) can help you.

We can supply many spare parts for Sessions of York machines, including PCBs, motors, belts, print heads, ribbons and other items including those used in the Novexx and Avery Dennison range. We hold 1,000's of parts in stock at ALS and also with our regional service engineers, based across the UK.

For spares & service call Jane on 01844 264822

Just some of the labelling machines sold by Sessions of York over the years that ALS can help with:

Label Applicators:

ALS 104, ALS 204, ALS 206, ALS 256, ALS 220, ALS 221, ALS 230, ALS 306, ALS 309, ALS 320, ALS 321, ALS 330, ALS 341, ALS 350, ALS 380

Print and Apply:

ALX 710, ALX 720, ALX 910, ALX 920, ALX 924, ALX 925, ALX 926, Novexx Swing, Novexx Samba

Printers:

Puma, Lion, Tiger, Ocelot, Cobra, Chess range, Xxtreme, TDI, AP 5.4, TTX range, DPM print engines, Zebra desktops and PAX print engines.

Spare Parts: Unfortunately nothing lasts for ever and some components will be wear-parts such as thermal print heads, drive belts and rollers. It is often recommended to stock some of these parts yourself, however an extensive stock holding of spare parts is held in our UK warehouse and orders received before 4pm are despatched the same day.

Field Service Engineers: There are times when you need the assistance of an engineer on-site. Our engineers are based up and down the country (UK & Ireland), carrying extensive stocks of most parts, to enable a first-time fix, machine service or additional training. All our engineers are Avery Dennison trained and are approved to carry out all work using genuine spare parts.

Training: We can’t place enough emphasis on training. Usually performed at your site, on your machine, we tailor our training sessions to suit the people, such as; Operators, Supervisors and Technicians, to give the relevant users the right degree of product knowledge, allowing them to get the best out of the equipment. Training documentation and certificates are issued to those attaining the correct level of ability.

Ribbons & Labels:

We supply thermal transfer ribbons for all near-edge and flat head printers and manufacture our own labels to your specification.

From sales and service, to spares and consumables ordering, dedicated specialists provide friendly help and advice.

Call us on 01844 213177 or email sales@als-eu.com

Comment: Sessions of York

2010-04-22T19:27:00.000+01:00

This week's news that the well known label manufacture and labelling machinery supplier, Sessions of York, had been placed into administration, although out-of-the-blue, did not come as a great surprise. It was well-known that Chairman/MD Mark Sessions had been looking to retire from the family business and had publically placed the company up for sale nearly a year ago. However from news reports, the sudden-ness of it all was a shock to the 100 or so employees, who had possibly ignored the tell-tale signs of a business fighting to stay afloat. In the end, reportedly, rising costs and a highly competitive market place in a recessionary climate was clearly all too much for the company to take.

While Sessions of York has always been a competitor to ALS, we had a healthy respect for them - worthy adversaries, if you will! So while, yes, the possible removal of a competitor could be treated with glee by some, most of us in the industry will feel it is a hollow victory, because maybe if it were not for some different business decisions, it could so easily have been any one of us.

While the devastation that must be felt by the employees right now, we can only empathise with, for their labelling machinery customers, who might also be feeling a bit vulnerable just now, trying to keep their label applicators running, at least ALS can offer some relief. We can supply many spare parts for Sessions of York machines, including PCBs, motors, belts, print heads, ribbons and other items including those used in the Novexx and Avery Dennison range. We hold 1,000's of parts in stock, at ALS and also with our regional service engineers, based across the UK.

For spares, service and support, just call Jane on 01844 264822

For the Sessions employees, we wish you all well. At ALS we are always on the lookout for good people and for those of you that held technical or Sales positions, please feel free to contact us, through Mrs Janet Wilson (email: janet.wilson@als-eu.com)

Jobs at ALS - Sales Engineer UK North

2010-04-22T18:16:00.000+01:00

Job Vacancy: SALES ENGINEER, NORTHERN UK TERRITORY

Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS), are currently seeking a Sales Engineer for the Northern UK territory, who has experience of selling industrial labelling machinery.

If you are a Sales Engineer with the ability to understand customers' requirements, find solutions, work to their budgets, communicate difficult labelling concepts to others and close orders, then we want to hear from you!

An excellent package is available, which includes competitive OTE salary, fully financed company car, company fuel & credit cards, laptop, mobile phone / iPhone, business phone line for home, private health, pension scheme and 22 days holiday.

It is expected that you will need to spend occasional nights away as the need arises and during trade shows. This is not a straight 9 to 5 role but if you are the right person, you will already know this.

Reporting direct to the General Manager, the ALS work-style is to support and empower our Sales Engineers, so if you don't mind working hard then this will be a rewarding job.

If you are ready for a change and feel you have something to offer, send your CV to Mrs Janet Wilson: janet.wilson@als-eu.com

Siemens Approves ALS Thermal Transfer Ribbons

2010-01-29T17:43:00.006Z

ALS Labels Ltd, part of the Advanced Labelling Systems group, in Thame, Oxon, has been awared the Siemens vendor quality rating of "Preferred Supplier" for the period Jan'09 to Sept'09, for the supply of thermal transfer ribbons.

It's always nice to get recognition & especially from a new customer, who came to us this time last year, unhappy with their current supplier. ALS Labels Ltd were able to offer the best price & delivery of the thermal printer ribbons they needed & maintained this throughout 2009.

The Siemens supplier status levels start at "Probationary", then "Poor", "Acceptable" & finally "Preferred". Fortunately, we have gone straight in at the top, which is great news. The rating is broken down into several areas & each one graded accordingly. Of particular note was:-

- Delivery: 95%

- Account Management: 100%

- Quality/Performance: 100%

Credit was given to our price competitivenes vs quality, which is what we always strive for; the best thermal ribbons at the best price.

So, if you need quality thermal transfer ribbons, why not give us a call on: 01844 264835 or email consumables@als-eu.com

An Introduction to Pallet Labelling

2010-01-18T11:07:00.006Z

A pallet labeller is a complete, purpose-designed system which comprises of an industrial thermal transfer print & apply labelling machine, with print engine and usually a tri-axial applicator system for labelling two adjacent sides of a pallet.

In an automated factory, full safety guarding and an industrial housing is required for all controls, safety switches, electrics, pneumatics and the PLC which controls inputs and outputs.

Pallet labellers such as those from Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) are designed to print and apply A5 format GS1 (EAN) pallet labels onto two adjacent faces of a pallet including Serial Shipping Container Codes (SSCC) in accordance with the GS1 (EAN) 128 barcode standard.

Additional features such as barcode scanners confirm the readability of the barcode label just applied and that the label has remained stuck to the pallet after application.

Software integration plays a vital part with implementing any pallet labelling system and it is usual for the labelling machinery supplier to offer integration to the customer's production control software or ERP system, such as SAP, and work along side the IT department to ensure smooth implementation.

A video clip of a typical 2-side A5 pallet labeller, printing and applying SSCC codes can be viewed on the main ALS web site or on YouTube.

An essential guide to all aspects of barcoding, including the GS1 standard pallet label, GS1-128 barcodes and the SSCC, is the GS1 publication; Barcoding - Getting it Right.

For further information please contact ALS to arrange a no-obligation initial consulatation and site survey.

Telephone Janet Wilson on 01844 264821 or email sales@als-eu.com

ADT Sensormatic Win Security Label Lawsuit in China

2010-01-15T18:08:00.006Z

Last month saw a significant victory for ADT Security Services when they won a patent lawsuit in China, against a company that infringed their Sensormatic(R) Acousto-Magnetic ("AM") tag label technology.

As an ADT partner in the UK, this comes as welcome news to us at ALS as it helps protect the integrity of the ADT security tags we sell and convert, against the threat of cheap, inferior performing imports from China and Asia.

ADT Security Services, a Tyco International company, is the world’s largest provider of electronic security services to more than seven million commercial, government and residential customers worldwide. Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) is a UK manufacturer of security tagging and labelling machines that can apply security labels to a whole range of products. Extracts from the recent ADT press release follows:

CHINESE COURT FINDS ZHENTAI SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COMPANY INFRINGED SENSORMATIC® ULTRA•MAX® LABEL TECHNOLOGY

Court Ruling Prohibits ZhenTai from Making or Selling Its Acousto-Magnetic (AM)

Anti-Theft Labels

Boca Raton, FL - 1 December 2009 - ADT Security Services today announced a major victory in a patent lawsuit in China against ZhenTai Science & Technology Company. ZhenTai was found liable for infringing upon ADT’s industry-leading Sensormatic anti-theft Ultra•Max® label technology. The lawsuit involved acousto-magnetic (AM) labels manufactured by ZhenTai, located in Jingjiang City, Fujian Province. ZhenTai offered its labels for sale both in China and for export abroad. In its decision, the Quanzhou Intermediate People’s Court enjoined ZhenTai from making, using or selling its infringing labels. Furthermore, ZhenTai was ordered to destroy any equipment, molds and drawings used to produce these labels and to pay nominal damages to Sensormatic.

Over the last 40 years, Sensormatic has invested substantial resources toward advancing its Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) solutions, which are designed and manufactured to deliver industry-leading performance at a competitive price. Any AM labels not similarly designed may risk impacting the performance of Sensormatic Ultra•Max®- based EAS systems. Examples are failures to alarm as well as failures to deactivate and false alarms, which can lead to customer service issues. If such labels are used in source tagging programs, poor performance may undermine confidence in source tagging and AM labels in general.

ADT helps manufacturers tag more than four billion items each year, with over 30 billion products source-tagged with Sensormatic labels since the inception of the program.

About the Sensormatic Retail Solutions Portfolio

The industry-leading Sensormatic retail solutions portfolio offers vital loss prevention and operational improvement technologies and solutions. Backed by more than 1,500 patents, the Sensormatic solutions portfolio is sold through ADT and Tyco partners around the world. From the front of the store through the entire retail supply chain, Sensormatic solutions help keep losses lower – and profits higher. Today, over 80 percent of world's top 200 retailers that use EAS rely on Sensormatic solutions, which include EAS, source-tagging, data analytics and in-store, item-level intelligence applications. Sensormatic forward-thinking solutions also include dual EAS-RFID technology that provides item-level security and visibility in an ever changing retail environment. For more information, visit http://www.sensormatic.com/.

The link to the full press release on the ADT web site is below:
http://www.sensormatic.com/WhoWeAre/prDetail.aspx?id=272

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

2010-01-07T10:56:00.000Z

As temperatures plunged all over the UK again last night, a local village to us in Thame, Benson in Oxfordshire, was recorded at -18°C last night, the lowest along with another location in Greater Manchester. Yet despite the snow that arrived on Tuesday evening this week, ALS was open yesterday ready for business and again today. Fortunately, many of our office staff, workshop engineers and label production operators live locally and can walk to work, so we are lucky to be able to continue supporting our customers. Although site visits from engineers may still be unlikely in the current conditions, we are now getting deliveries of supplies and collections for goods out, so we expect the situation to improve, even if the temperatures don't! If you find that you are running out of labels or thermal transfer ribbons or need a machine part, eg print head etc, then give us a call, many items are in stock!

ALS @ TOTAL Processing & Packaging Show

2010-01-04T14:16:00.009Z

Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) of Thame, Oxon, will be exhibiting at the TOTAL Processing & Packaging Show, the largest UK event of its kind, this year. Make a date for your diary! Visitors will be able to see a range of working ALS labelling machinery, label software and complete systems first-hand, at our stand at TOTAL Processing & Packaging Show, so why not come along and use the opportunity to speak to our experienced Sales Engineers about your labelling requirements?

The exhibition, which only comes around every three years, also incorporates the annual PPMA Show for this year.

Stand: 5800 Hall 5

Location: NEC, Birmingham, UK

Date: 25-27 May 2010

For tickets or more information email: janet.wilson@als-eu.com

Don't Blame The Labeller!

2009-11-23T14:14:00.005Z

...or how to select a good label supplier.

"Help! I need a service engineer quick, the labelling machine keeps snapping the labels."

Whenever there is a labelling problem, for some reason the poor old label applicator is immediately placed under suspicion. Occasionally it is justified and the labeller will need servicing, however most times the cause is down to the labels. "But you're bound to say that", I hear you say but no - ALS is a label converter too, which is why I would like to give you some pointers to help you select a good label supplier.

Snapping of the web (backing paper/liner) at the dispense edge, is more often than not caused by die strike, the term given to the cutting die, used in label manufacturing, pressing too far through the face material and striking into the backing. The affect of this is that of weakening the backing material, which when placed under tension through the labeller, causes it to break. It is usually quite obvious and can be seen by peeling off some labels, you will see an outline. If it is less obvious then take a felt tip marker and rub it over the backing - the ink will show up the outline.

There should be no excuse for die struck labels. All cutting dies wear down eventually and either need re-sharpening or replacing by the manufacturer but this costs money. Some label converters will try to prolong retooling by pressing down the cutting die harder than it should, so the labels are still cut but the backing gets crushed.

A high-speed automatic label applicator requires there to be a certain amount of constant tension in the web, to allow the label to dispense correctly, so if your application demands high-speed or uses a particularly thin or clear material, then your label converter needs to know this.

However, snapping is one issue but a labeller which mis-feeds labels can often be down to the labels as well. When labels are made, dust is created - more so with paper labels. The gap sensor in your labeller detects the edges where one label ends and the next begins. If the dust is not removed at the converting stage, then it lies on the surface of the labels and builds up covering the gap sensor, stopping the machine. The only solution is to clean the sensor more often than usual, which means more down-time for the line. We always ensure dust is extracted during manufacturing and you should insist that your supplier also implements such a procedure.

And another thing - when I previously said that too much pressure on the cutting die is bad, so is too little as it can result in some of the waste material in the gaps between labels, not being removed properly. If a gap is not present then the labeller will continue to feed until it does see a gap, giving the appearance that the machine has fed two labels from one product signal. This one can be hard to prove because the material left in the gap will also get dispensed along with the two labels and being so small (typical label gaps are 2-3mm) it can easily fall away and be hard to locate again.

Hopefully you can start to appreciate that there is more to making good quality labels for automatic application, than meets the eye. Now, here's the pitch - ALS make good quality labels at competitive prices but we don't cut corners. Label pricing is fiercely competitive and there are some great deals to be had at the moment but beware, cheap labels can often be very costly in terms of production line down-time, reject labelled products and more frequent machine servicing. We know - our own service engineers still get called out to many instances where the perceived machine "fault" was actually due to the labels and although we charge for the call-out, I think a little knowledge about labels helps you to help yourself and make the right choice of label supplier.

If you think its about time you changed your label supplier, why not give us a call on 01844 2131777 or email consumables@als-eu.com

What to look for when choosing a labelling machinery supplier

2009-11-11T18:51:00.005Z

Talking to some of our customers about how and why they chose ALS as their supplier, a few interesting facts came to light which I thought I would share, as since you are reading this, you too may be considering which labelling companies to contact to start discussing your requirements.

I'll assume you have done the obvious and Googled like mad, flicked through a few pages of each web site and made a few quick decisions on who to shortlist for contacting. I guess if you're still reading, ALS has at least got through round one!

Next up, you'll want to discuss your labelling application face to face with a knowledgeable Sales Engineer, who can quickly grasp an understanding of your needs which may cover; speed, accuracy, product variations, production line space restrictions, ease of use and budget. During this meeting, the Sales Engineer will show you examples of similar previous installations the company has supplied and offer references of satisfied customers - possibly even arrange a visit to another customer's site.

Most times, the Sales Engineer should be able to formulate an idea of what the final solution will entail during the initial meeting, after all, he is a Sales Engineer and will have had previous engineering roles, so can talk on both a technical level but keep an eye on the commercial aspects for you too. We find that most new labelling requirements are solved using old techniques, applied in a new way.

However, there are times when a challenge is presented and you want to be assured that the Sales Engineer has a technical team to call upon to help engineer a new solution and which has the resources to build a test machine to check a theory or prove a principal and give you some reassurance.

When the solution has been decided, the Sales Engineer will write a proposal as part of a fixed-price quotation, which clearly states the user requirements specifications that you have given and a functional description of how the labelling system will operate. If you need aspects of the project cost broken down then this is what you will get, all laid out clearly and unambiguously. Alternatively, if you prefer an all-inclusive, fully commissioned price then we can do that as well.

If it's a close call between two or more suppliers and so far we've all done a good professional job of listening to you and then presenting our individual solutions within your budget, then you need to start looking more closely at your offers and the companies behind the quotations.

Go and visit them! You can tell a lot by watching other customers' machines being made (if they are indeed made in the UK) and the people who make them. Are they using stainless-steel or aluminium? Is it an efficient looking workshop? Is it clean, well-lit and are the staff helpful, knowledgeable and look happy to be there? We had one customer come to ALS once who remarked that it was good to see an "honesty" box of cash, accessible to all who bought chocolate, crisps and drinks from our snack/canteen area - he remarked that they daren't leave out money at his own company for fear it would disappear overnight!

Back to checking out the company - do a credit check! We'll have done one on you! Its nothing personal but the past two years has seen some good businesses go under and if we are giving you credit, over stage payments, then we want to know we'll get paid at the end. And if you are going to give us a deposit, you'll want the same assurance.

What about installation and service? Does the company send out its technicians when you need support or does it have its own regionally based Service Engineers? Do they carry spare parts, just in case? Ask whether the Service Engineers are actual employees of the labelling company or whether they just use contractors? It makes a big difference. Contractors can't possibly know another supplier's machines better than they do, so why use a company that relies on a 3rd party for customer support and which also supports 50 other companies? Remember that servicing labelling equipment is not as simple as fixing a washing machine or a photocopier and chances are, if you've stopped labelling on-line, you won't be shipping product out the door, so yes, service response is important but it also goes hand in hand with quality of response.

Is all that talk of machines breaking down making you nervous? Well, I'm not going to tell you that ALS labellers never break down, let's be realistic, all machines need some attention at some point. The trick is to specify the right machine for the job. If the Sales Engineer has done his assessment correctly, he won't be selling you the entry level machine if you clearly stated you need it to run 24 hours, 7 days a week. That's counter productive for both of us. We would rather turn down a sale rather than sell you the wrong kit for the job - we don't want our Field Engineers' time taken up by multiple visits back to your place every other day trying to get a machine to work which really wasn't up to the job in the first place. This is why we sell a complete range of machines.

Experience counts for a lot in our industry and that is how we can offer an unconditional 2-year on-site warranty on all our label application machinery. If we regularly made mistakes selling customers the wrong machines, we could not offer a guarantee as long as this and still keep going. Maybe you'll get other offers that match our 2-year warranty but ask whether it is just a one-time offer to win your order or whether it is standard. ALS started offering our 2-year warranty in 1997, so its safe to say we haven't made too many specification gaffes. This is how we have retained our customers and get repeat orders.

So, in closing, after you've compared label machine prices, I urge you to look at the company behind the quote and ask yourself if you really feel happy doing business with them.

New Zebra Xi4 Series Industrial Label Printers

2009-11-03T14:32:00.013Z

Zebra have introduced the new Xi4 series of industrial thermal transfer label printers, which they claim to be extremely fast, totally reliable and incredibly robust. Judging by how the the out-going XiIII series performed (which they replace), our first impressions of the new machines confirm this to be true.

Zebra Web Press Release:

"The Zebra Xi series label printers have proven their reliability time and again in the harshest of mission critical applications. With a design based on a rugged steel case and rigid print mechanism the new Xi4 raises the bar once more.

The new Xi4 has models with 356mm (14") per second print speeds and offers the greatest choice with four print widths (110, 140, 170, 220), three resolutions (200, 300 and 600dpi) and multiple media handling options. The backwards compatible Xi4 is designed so users and system administrators can quickly identify and resolve printer issues with early warning systems that indicate when to service the print head and change ribbons/media, as well as remote printer management/monitoring through ZebraNet Bridge Enterprise. Whether you need to connect wired or wirelessly the Xi4's 10/100 Ethernet and secure 802.11b/g wireless network connectivity together with printer management applications meets the needs of both small and large networks."

Designed to endure the harshest industrial environments, ensuring maximum profitability and minimal downtime, the Xi series are aimed primarily for the following industries; Manufacturing, Automotive Industry, Electronics, Pharmaceuticals, Heavy industry, Logistics, Retail and Healthcare.

Specifications:
Brochure Download: Zebra_Xi4_Series.pdf

Thermal Ribbons:
Buy Genuine Zebra ribbons on-line from ALS click:
http://www.als-store.co.uk/zebra-ribbons.html

Spares & Service:
For replacement Zebra Print Heads, Spares Parts and on-site Service in the UK for Zebra equipment, call ALS on 01844 213177

PPMA Show Exceeds Expectations

2009-10-02T18:14:00.008+01:00

The annual Process & Packaging Machinery Association (PPMA) show at the NEC, Birmingham, this week was surprisingly good for Advanced Labelling Systems, with new customer enquiries up nearly 20%, over 2008.

Although at first it looked like the exhibition, which appeared to occupy less hall space than in any other year previously, was heading to be a flop, we need not have worried when the doors opened on Tuesday and the visitors entered in their droves.

Showing a broad cross-section of our labelling machinery from the ever popular semi-automatic labellers, through to our high-speed primary product label applicators, print & apply, product handling, barcode scanning and auto-ID systems, right up to pallet labellers, we were able to demonstrate that ALS can provide any type of labelling machine.

The PPMA Show, which last year celebrated its 21st birthday, is a notable machinery event in the UK calendar and has always attracted a good caliber of visitor, such as Project Engineers, Production Managers and other such professional people who like to compare the typical build quality of machines that each company produces, which is why I believe that ALS always gets such a good response from the visitors to our stands.

Our stainless-steel constructed "3-roller" can orientation labeller generated much interest, as did our newly developed "M.O.B.I." barcode system (Multi-media Omni-directional Barcode Identification) created primarily for logistics labelling of CDs, DVDs, Video Games and Books where the item barcode needs to be scanned on the opposite side to which the price promotion label needs printed and applied.

The good feeling of optimism was felt by the other exhibitors that I spoke to, some of whom are also ALS customers that integrate our labelling equipment into their own special purpose machinery. All in all, it was three days well spent, afterwhich I have come away feeling a lot more optimistic for the recovery of the UK manufacturing industry as a whole and that as a country, we have definately turned a corner.

Thank you to everyone that came on to talk to us about their labelling requirements and to all our customers that stopped by to say hello. However, if you didn't get a chance to talk to us, please drop us a line and we will be happy to arrange a meeting!

And finally... Much thanks to the whole ALS team, who made a tremendous effort to make this year's show such a success - well done everyone!

New camera system reads barcodes for CD, DVD, BD & book labelling

2009-09-01T12:59:00.009+01:00

Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) will be launching a new type of barcode identification system at this year's PPMA show, aimed particularly at the multi-media industry, for scanning product codes of CD's, DVD, Blu-Ray, games and books. The new camera-based Multi-media Omnidirectional Barcode Identification system (MOBI), offers many advantages over traditional laser-based omnidirectional barcode reading equipment, when combined with real-time 1:1 print and apply labelling machines.

In order to compete effectively with downloadable digital media, the multi-media industry has a need to label their physical products with promotional price labels and then sort them for distribution to stores or end users, more efficiently than ever. In an attempt to grab the customer's attention on the store shelves, products are treated with special edition covers, exciting artwork and intriguing combinations of tactile materials. Barcodes are a necessary evil and tend to "get in the way" of the graphics, so quite often barcodes get printed smaller than they should or in colours that make them blend into the cover artwork, with no standard position or orientation. All this makes the logistics of automated barcode scanning that much harder. Due to the nature of the industry, new titles are released weekly with new artwork, so coming up with a reliable reading system is a bit of a moving target. Until the studios get their act together on barcode print quality, the problem is left to the distribution centres to solve or face having to identify products manually.

Designed for reading the most challenging of printed product barcodes with high accuracy, at high-speed and at any angle, MOBI utilises a single line high-resolution camera, which means that for applications where a label is applied on the opposite face of a product, such as with a book or DVD, the system can be mounted under the conveyor looking up through a small gap, over which the product passes. This in turn allows for mounting of the label applicator above the conveyor, so that a fast blow-on application method can be used, with the added benefits of easier access for loading of labels, plus general visibility of the applied label afterwards.

A major benefit of using the line camera system is that due to the reduced reading pitch required, the overall product throughput can be increased. This is because traditional omnidirectional laser barcode readers use an "X"-pattern that requires additional conveyor length and also therefore cannot be mounted under the conveyor. In the case of books, which are often much larger than say a DVD case, a single MOBI reading head can scan across 300mm without needing to worry about the pitch between products.

Another limitation of existing omnidirectional barcode systems is the height of barcodes they are capable of reading. Due to MOBI's single-line operation, it is capable of reading much shorter barcodes reliably, (even those that are strictly speaking, out of spec by GS1 standards), omnidirectionally and at high speeds.

In addition, due to the fact that it utilises a black and white camera, MOBI overcomes potential problems of reading different colour combinations of barcode / background. Black on red - no problem!

ALS will be demonstrating a typical, continuous high-speed print and apply labelling application, scanning DVD's and performing a database look-up, then printing and immediately applying the correct price label to random products, in real-time.

ALS Stand C10, PPMA Show 29 Sept - 1 Oct NEC

Pudsey Bear approves of Baxters new charity jam

2009-08-25T14:27:00.006+01:00

BBC's Children in Need have teamed up with Baxters to produce Pudsey's first strawberry jam.

The launch of Pudsey's first ever Strawberry Jam, from ALS customer, Baxters, has so far only been on sale exclusively in Selfridges over the last two weeks but will start to hit the supermarket shelves in early September, with 50p from every jar going to the charity.

Sir Terry Wogan was present with Pudsey the Bear at the launch of the first ever Children in Need Jam. Sir Terry commented: "It was fantastic to see the public really getting behind the initiative this morning and supporting the charity and I'm thrilled to announce that we've already sold over 300 jars of Pudsey's Strawberry Jam. I'm really looking forward to buying a jar or two myself as well - I've always been rather partial to a jam sandwich!"

Pudsey had a fantastic day out when he was invited to the Baxters factory in Fochabers, Scotland, to develop, make and taste his Strawberry Jam. He worked alongside Audrey Baxter in the famous Baxters kitchen to create the delicious, special recipe jam, which contains two different varieties of the finest strawberries blended together to create a mouth-watering, deep fruity flavour.

Audrey Baxter said: "We are very excited to be working with BBC Children in Need and delighted that Pudsey chose Baxters to create his Strawberry Jam recipe. We fully support the work of this fabulous charity and hope that the jam will be enjoyed by families across the UK, whilst raising a substantial amount of money for the many extremely worthy causes."

Decorated with a specially designed wet glue body label, using one of the company's existing wet glue labelling machines, the special edition jam jars also needed an additional self-adhesive "Pudsey Approved" label on the lid. The eye-catching new label was applied using an ALS 204 label applicator from Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd. Due to the high-speed and compact nature of the ALS 204, we were able to easily integrate the new labeller inside Baxters' existing rotary machine, with minimal disruption.

In 2008, more than £36 million pounds was raised for BBC Children in Need and it is hoped that this new partnership with Baxters will help raise lots of money for the 2009 Appeal. The charity's mission is to make a positive change to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK and to create a society where each and every child and young person is supported to realise their full potential.

David Ramsden, CEO of BBC Children in Need said: "We are thrilled that Baxters agreed to help Pudsey with one of his 2009 initiatives and thank them for their support - we rely on the help of both businesses and individuals to help us raise funds and are grateful to be working with Baxters on this unique project."

For every £1.59 jar of Pudsey's Strawberry Jam sold, Baxters will be donating 50p to BBC Children in Need.

Is there a future for trade shows & exhibitions?

2009-08-21T13:45:00.003+01:00

With our next exhibition, the PPMA Show, looming next month, I thought I'd put my own views out there. We at ALS don't exhibit at too many shows but we try to do two, maybe three a year. For a machinery supplier such as ourselves, they are expensive and time-consuming activities that need careful planning but we do them because our customers still like to see labelling machines "in the flesh" and talk to us about their requirements in an informal manner. Attendance numbers are falling year on year, more so for UK events and every year we ask ourselves the same thing; Should we stop exhibiting? In times of recession, when marketing budgets are being scrutinised and the costs to exhibit are escalating, it is a question I'm sure is being asked more sternly than ever.

There are some strong arguments for using the power of the internet to greater effect, such as publishing machine videos on YouTube - all of which ALS has done and continues to do but is it the same? As a labelling machinery manufacturer, we have to consider if the virtual world can really replace the ability to see, touch and feel machines from multiple suppliers, all in the one place, under one roof? Even just talking to those companies can give the visitor a good insight into whether those companies really know their industry and what they need or whether they are just blagging it. So it can help separate the wheat from the chaff. I believe if you're good at what you do then it's a way to shine and let your visitors decide for themselves. If there are fewer numbers attending AND we are in an economic downturn/recession then isn't it MORE important to attract the people who obviously have taken the time to switch off the internet, get out of their comfy chairs and drive through the traffic to walk around an exhibition hall for a few hours?

What about those companies that decide not to exhibit? Now, maybe they're the smart ones; they saved their money and can spend it on a big Christmas party (and you would have a very very good party, let me tell you) but for us, there is still a point to exhibitions. Despite the lower attendance numbers, we still get good enquiries. Come on, where else can you receive a customer enquiry, qualify it instantly, have a detailed initial meeting and demo a machine to them all in the same day, multiple times a day? Nowhere. Yes, ok, we moan about the cost of hotels, the cost of transport, the cost of air, lighting, plug sockets and general expenses, not mention aching feet but there are few opportunities like this to present your company, demonstrate working machines, talk to customers and come back with new projects to get your teeth into.

But, a word of warning - it can't continue like this. If something isn't done soon, there will come a time and it may not be that far off for the UK shows, when the ROI will not be acceptable enough to warrant exhibiting. We need a "back to basics" approach, along the lines of how the original PPMA shows started, where more emphasis was on the actual machines, than how many plasma screens have you got! Custom stands are not only expensive but most are all but destroyed at the end of the show. Yes, they present a great image but you can go overboard. The costs of compressed air, lighting and electrics are getting silly and then we have Health & Safety to contend with. Let's be sensible here. Keep the costs down and more people will exhibit again. More exhibitors will attract more visitors. The EasyFairs people were on the right lines, with simple, fixed-size stands, no custom builds, minimal graphics and everyone on a level playing field but as exhibitors drop out at the last minute, other exhibitors are offered bigger stands to fill up the gaps, which take bigger graphics and its creeping away from the original intention.

What's your view on trade shows, exhibitions and "summits"? Would be good to hear the views from visitors, other exhibitors and organisers. Please leave a comment below.

Label Guru Wins Lifetime Achievement Award

2009-08-19T18:00:00.005+01:00

The Label Industry Global Awards 2009 panel has awarded the prestigious R. Stanton Avery Lifetime Achievement Award to the well-known label consultant, Michael Fairley. He was selected as the overall winner by the international label industry judging panel of experts at the FINAT/ESD Congress in Antalya.

The R. Stanton Avery Lifetime Achievement Award, is sponsored by Avery Dennison and recognises the values and vision of Stan Avery, the creator of the self-adhesive label and pioneer of the labelling industry.

Widely regarded as the label industry 'guru', Mike Fairley has been writing and talking about labels for more than 30 years. As both the founder of Labels & Labelling Magazine and the Cowise International Publishing Group (now part of Tarsus Group) and a successful industry consultant, he has consistently been at the forefront of introducing the latest innovations in label materials, technology, markets and applications, as well helping label industry supplier and converter companies to implement their education, training and marketing strategies. He has written and contributed to many technical and market reports, as well as for his own consultancy company and been a regular speaker at label industry and association conferences, summits and congresses throughout the World. He has also written the 'Label Converting in...' series of reports for Labels & Labelling.

Chairman of the judging panel, Helmut Schreiner, commented: "The entire judging panel felt honoured to have the opportunity to recognise Michael's lifetime achievement. In our opinion he has been building bridges for several decades between suppliers and converters, between countries and their people, and between the present and the future to new market segments, niches, technical materials and, perhaps most importantly, a new way of thinking. There is no large and powerful company standing behind Michael. This particular award is given strictly to an individual and his personal achievement. We look forward to celebrating with Michael and the rest of the industry at the Awards evening on the first night of Labelexpo Europe 2009."

We at ALS congratulate Mike on his prestigious and well-earned award.

Label News: Music Inspired Art Labels

2009-08-11T19:35:00.003+01:00

For 22 years the Beck's beer bottle has been the canvas for some of the biggest names in contemporary art and their labels form a gallery of compelling images. In recent years the company has extended their support to include music too. Now in 2009 they are bringing art and music together in what they describe as "the ultimate fusion", commissioning cutting-edge musicians to redesign their labels. This autumn, for the first time ever, there will be limited-edition Beck's bottles designed by leading musicians. Well known for their distinctive styles and eye-catching cover art, Ladyhawke and Hard-Fi will be taking inspiration from their music to create art for their labels. The bottles go on sale in early September launched at an intimate gig from Ladyhawke on 25 August at a secret London location.

Above image of Beck’s beer bottles with labels by (left to right) Tim Head, Damien Hirst and Rebecca Horn.

Booklet and leaflet labelling

2009-08-10T15:19:00.007+01:00

Increasingly, more information is required to be displayed on products than ever before. This can either be from legislative directives in, for example, the food or pharmaceutical industries, or from the pressure on manufacturers to be more environmentally conscious and to reduce outer packaging, or both - forcing this information onto the product itself, where previously a larger carton and an accompanying leaflet may have been used. It can also come from the desire to reduce stocks of labels in various languages for the same product or offer promotional incentives to the consumer such as recipes, competitions or collectable vouchers. The multi-page leaflet and booklet label has been with us for some time, pioneered by Denny Bros' Fix-a-Form and is used widely across many industries to convey more information where the product itself is too small to carry it all.

ALS has long supplied to many of the biggest names in the labelling industry that specialise in this area and to manufacturers that use these multi-page labels. Obviously, a booklet or fold-out label is thicker than a traditional single layer label and can offer some challenges for high-speed automatic application which, if not handled correctly, can pre-dispense off their backing when guided around the roller path of a label applicator. The method of actually applying booklet labels to the product will depend on the construction of the label.

A vacuum-blow applicator can apply at high line speeds and the label copy postion is not usually problem as the labeller does not have to be positioned in line with the direction of product travel. However, bear in mind that it only holds the top layer of a multi-page booklet label, so the label construction needs to be such that all the under layers do not slip against each other and that the top layer does not peel off, if good placement accuracy and no creasing is to be achieved.

A directly applied label is less prone to this but only applies in the direction of product travel and at speeds that the labeller can handle, although it does not require air to run and is usually easier for operators to set up. Often though, either the product can be turned or the copy position of the label changed to allow direct application.

An important feature of a direct-apply labeller is to speed-match the dispensing speed with the product or web to be labelled. Automatic product speed following (APSF) is a common feature in most of the ALS applicators and works by synchronising the dispensing speed with the product/web speed by using a high-resolution rotary encoder to continuously feed back the speed to the labeller, so that it can ramp-up or down accordingly, even during the single dispense cycle of one label, to achieve consistently accurately applied labels, at high-speed.

For more reading on booklet & leaflet labelling, there is a good article in Packaging News entitled "Bite-size Booklets Make Essential Reading" which also provides some interesting case studies from the likes of Denny Bros, CCL and Skanem, click link below:http://www.packagingnews.co.uk/labelling/news/925566/Labels-focus-Bite-size-booklets/

For a video of an ALS 350 labeller performing APSF, click link below:
http://www.als-eu.com/downloads/videoclips/High-Performance-Label-Applicator.html

Brian's on his bike - for Action Medical Research

2009-07-03T14:43:00.013+01:00

On Sunday 19th July, ALS Sales Engineer, Brian Watts, will be taking part on a 100 mile (yes 100 miles, which is a long way!!) sponsored bike ride in aid of Action Medical Research.

The route will start and finish in Guildford, travelling south, down to Storrington (just outside Worthing) before heading back up via Horsham and Dorking, taking in the challenging hill climbs of Leith Hill and Box Hill.

Brian’s chosen charity Action Medical Research has been funding pioneering medical research for almost 60 years. Their aim is to improve the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of childhood disease and disability by funding the highest quality research most likely to bring benefits to babies, children and their families. They have been involved in numerous medical breakthroughs including ultrasound in pregnancy, the polio vaccine and the hip replacement operation.

If you would like to sponsor Brian and support a good cause just follow the link below:

http://www.action.org.uk/sponsor/wattsbrian

How to... apply labels in IP65 production areas

2009-06-15T12:09:00.003+01:00

IP65 is usually a pre-requisite for labelling in food or beverage production areas and is also required anywhere else that dust or water, is a problem. In these conditions, components that may become electrically or mechanically unsafe need to be housed in an enclosure that protects the internal electronics and other workings. The level of protection a machine has from particles and water is given by its International Protection (IP) code. The full classification of degrees of protection is detailed in the standard; BS EN 60529:1992 (IEC 60529:1989 second edition). The two-digit IP code e.g. IP65, states how the machine is protected:-

The first digit indicates level of protection against ingress of solid foreign objects. In our example, "6" means; totally protected against ingress of dust. The second digit indicates level of protection against harmful ingress of water. A value of "5" means; protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions.

The design of the ALS Compact Class range of labellers (ALS 104, ALS 204 and ALS 206), with their solid die-cast aluminium casings, stainless steel components and M12 connectors, lends them easily to upgrading to the IP65 rating, with a low-cost "kit" that seals the casing and protects all electrical connections. Coupled with flexible mounting options for easy line integration, fast dispensing speeds and reliable operation, makes them very attractive machines.

For a great, well-written, guide to understanding the IP standard, we recommend you download the excellent publication from BEAMA, "Guide To The IP Codes For Enclosures", available here: http://www.als-eu.com/downloads/files/IP-Codes.pdf

Our thanks to:

BEAMA Ltd
Westminster Tower, 3 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SL
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7793 3013 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7793 3003
Registered in England No. 84313
http://www.beama.org.uk/
http://www.beamainstallation.org.uk/

EtiCAD-5 update available for download

2009-06-01T13:54:00.017+01:00

An update to EtiCAD-5, the label design and printer management software from ALS, has been released and is available free to exisiting users. Download it from here, on the main ALS web site. As usual, version 5.17.13 contains new drivers and some changes / additions to existing features that you may be interested in, so here goes.....

New Printer Drivers:
The printer list for Avery Dennison printers has been extended to include the new direct printing models of the APP series. This printer range has models with 2 and 5 inch print width and are available with intermittent and continuous print modes. Also added are two new Zebra printers from the ZM series: The ZM400 (4-inch) and ZM600 (6-inch) both come in 200dpi & 300dpi versions and in addition, the ZM400 also has a high resolution 600dpi version.

Modifications to existing Zebra drivers:
Circles on Zebra printers are now sent as a command and not as an image, giving performance enhancement for users of these machines. Support for Zebra B64 graphic mode has been added. Temperature on the Zebra PAX range has now been enabled. Maxicode: To increase performance for Zebra customers using the 2D Maxicode, from this release onwards, the internal printer-generated Zebra Maxicode will be used instead of a graphic representation of the code.

Unicode:
Some further enhancements have been made to the Unicode features, allowing the label designer to select right-to-left justification for languages such as Arabic or Hebrew. In addition, EtiCAD-5 now supports region settings for pasting in text in Unicode fonts.

Graphics & Barcodes:
EtiCAD's already extensive support for various graphic formats has been widened further by the inclusion of transparent PNG graphic files and general enhancements have been made to barcode positioning, maintaining EtiCAD's position as the number one barcode labelling software.

And finally, if you don't already have EtiCAD-5, read more about it here, where you can download a fully functional free 30-day trial.

How to .... label non-stop using 2 labellers

2009-05-28T16:50:00.001+01:00

The problem with all label applicators is that eventually the label roll comes to an end and needs replenishing, usually requiring the line to stop momentarily while new labels are loaded by an operator. While this only takes a matter of minutes and is acceptable for many, when it comes to high-speed, high-capacity lines that need zero downtime, another approach is required. One solution is the ALS automatic splicing dual-roll unwind (ASDU) machine that cleverly joins a new roll onto the end of an old roll of labels automatically. However, if you do not have the budget or the space for such a high-end machine, there is a lower cost alternative.... by placing two ALS labellers side-by-side, tandem-linked by a simple communication cable, one unit acts as the "master" and the other a "slave". Both labelling machines count products in a shift register and monitor the speed of the line with a rotary encoder, so when the master runs out of labels, the slave kicks-in and carries on applying labels while the roll on the master is replenished. Placing the master labeller back "on-line", the switch back is handled seamlessly and throughout the whole process, not one single product is missed. Tandem labelling is an often over-looked ability which is actually a standard feature in most ALS label applicators - and has been for many years, so if you already have one of our machines and need to eliminate line stoppages due to label reel changes, adding another machine could be a very cost-effective solution. Contact us now to enquire about our special pricing deals for additional tandem labellers.

Second-Hand Print & Apply Labellers

2009-05-08T13:55:00.003+01:00

Hot on the heels of my post two weeks ago (Reconditioned Labellers), about the increased interest we've seen recently for good quality second-hand labelling machinery, we have secured a whole factory-load of print and apply case labellers from a customer that went into administration recently. Now, completely refurbished, they are good as new again and available at bargain prices. These are heavy-duty ALX 3138 Tamp-Blow machines, integrated with Zebra PAX thermal transfer print engines and adjustable floor stands, all of which have been reconditioned by ALS and now available with a full 12 month on-site warranty. To buy new, the ALX 3138 is not a cheap machine but then again, it is built to be a real work-horse, designed for continuous operation in factory and warehouse environments, so bag yourself an absolute bargain and contact us soon to secure yours!

Reconditioned Labellers

2009-04-20T21:05:00.001+01:00

In these tough economic times, when we are seeing our customers tightening their belts and watching the pounds and pennies even closer than ever, it might be worth mentioning that we do recondition old machines. Quite often a reconditioned labelling machine will leave our factory looking like new, complete with a 12 month warranty, at half the price of a new system. Ok it might not have all the bells and whistles of a modern-day labeller but it could be good enough for your current needs.

We had a customer come to our works recently to see his labelling machine before we shipped it and he walked straight passed it, as it looked virtually brand new!

As most of our conveyors, stands and control units etc are made from stainless steel, even the most product-encrusted machines (and boy, have we seen a few!) can end up looking like we have just built them!

Another customer that visited us was interested in buying a new ALS 600 (a back and front container labeller) so came to ALS for a demo. He was concerned about labelling accuracy, which although it was impressing him now, would it still be this good in a few years time? He was astounded when we admitted that the machine he was looking at was actually 17 years old and one we had just finished refurb'ing. Enough said - we got the order that afternoon.

So if you think your budget won't stretch to new equipment, you could do far worse than to consider the option to refurbish your existing labelling machinery or buy a pre-owned labeller.

Drop us a line at: sales@als-eu.com

Buy Thermal Transfer Ribbons On-Line

2009-01-05T10:51:00.001Z

ALS are proud to announce the launch of their on-line store for the purchase of thermal transfer ribbons for a whole range of label printers for all major manufacturers, such as Avery Dennison, Zebra and Sato.

We sell only the highest quality and original branded ribbons from Armor and Zebra which give the best quality and consistent performance for your printers, extending their print head life and providing reliable barcode scanning results.

Visit http://www.als-store.co.uk/ for more details and the best prices available.

Many items available for immediate delivery!

Automatic Label Splicing

2008-09-08T11:22:00.009+01:00

The Auto Splice Dual Unwinder (ASDU) from Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) is designed to eliminate downtime during label roll change-overs on all makes of label applicators. The ASDU comes in two versions; the standard "bin-box" model (pictured above) runs at up to 64 metres per minute and the high-speed model has a "festoon" arrangement that allows speeds of up to 110 metres per minute. Both models feature two 500mm unwinds, powered by a high-speed servo drive and is PLC controlled. It is a continuous feed unit designed to improve efficiency with minimum operator effort. The ASDU's label sensor and DC servo ensure tight and accurate label splicing – which maintains registration through the labeller without snapping. Labels up to 200mm wide and a variety of different types can be handled (for example, promotional, clear and booklet labels) and it is compatible with all labellers from ALS as well as those from other manufacturers. The Auto Splice Dual Unwinder from ALS has been designed to make labelling operations more efficient by freeing up operators for other production tasks.

Click here to download brochure (PDF)

Liner-less Print & Apply Labeller That Doesn't "Cost the Earth"

2008-08-15T12:17:00.004+01:00

Consider a labelling machine which makes a roll of labels last twice as long as usual and for which you never need to remove the waste backing paper! Enter the new ALX 3138-L from Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS), a liner-less print & apply labelling system. Using a continuous printable adhesive material, no backing liner is needed, so there is no waste. Since there is no backing, you get double the length of material than you would have on a conventional self-adhesive label roll, therefore you change rolls half as often as usual. Where labeller downtime is an important factor, you could reduce this by half by using the ALX 3138-L. Labels of any length can be programmed using the ALS labelling software package EtiCAD-5 and the ALX 3138-L cuts them to length on-demand, as they are printed and applied. Not only is your carbon footprint reduced by reducing the level of waste generated, your label storage requirements are cut in half and your downtime is cut in half, so your production efficiency will improve dramatically!

NEW ALS 306 Labelling Machine

2008-08-04T13:01:00.002+01:00

The ALS 306 is the first of a brand new Performance Line range of labellers to be introduced throughout 2008-2009 and is being launched at this year's PPMA Show. The new labeller takes a genuinely new look at labelling and offers some clever innovations with built-in future-proofing as part of the design. The labeller is no slouch and effortlessly applies with dispensing speeds of up to 60 metres per minute and with accuracy of +/-0.5mm. The ALS 306 uses three heavy-duty precision stepper motors – one for the powered unwind, one for dispensing and the last for rewind. The synchronised “push-pull” configuration of the drives maintains a constant web tension, so all types of label materials can be handled at speed with no problem. The braked unwind holds a large 400mm diameter roll, up to 160mm wide and, uniquely, can be placed in four possible positions for best location around the machine when integrated on a production line. Mount two label roll holders on the same machine, a splicing table in between them and you slash label roll changes to under 60 seconds! For ease of servicing and to protect your investment in the ALS 306, the machine has been designed with a unique concept, previously only seen in print and apply machines. The ALS 306 consists of two easily removable modules – one for label dispensing and the other for rewinding. Simply undo five screws to allow each module to lift straight out; no wires to disconnect or clips to undo - and when the time comes to upgrade to maybe a wider or faster version or change from a dispenser to a print & apply module, just lift one out and slide the new one in! No need to incur the cost of a whole new label machine! There is nothing like this available today and it is sure to start a new trend in design for the next generation of labelling machines.

Exhibition Announcement - EFI'08

2007-11-27T13:12:00.000Z

ALS confirm attendance at the Food Processing and Packaging Show EFI’08 in January 2008. Situated at the Newark Show Ground, a region in close proximity to and well associated with food production and processing, it will be a good opportunity to demonstrate the ALS labelling range including the water-resistant IP65 range, which is anticipated to be of particular interest.

ALS Help Container Manufacturer Keep On Tracking

2007-10-10T13:17:00.002+01:00

Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) takes receipt of one of their biggest orders of the year. An order for 60 print and apply and scanning systems, from a major plastics manufacturer with multiple production sites around the UK, will be using ALS equipment to place barcoded tracking labels to their outer packaging, which is used exclusively for dairy product. With already 12 systems installed, the roll-out, planned for the next few months will bring the total number up to 72 lines. The barcodes will be scanned at various stages in the logistics supply chain, also supplied by ALS and logged by ALS custom-written software which integrates with the customer’s ERP computer system. Each barcode will contain the line the product was produced on, the time, date and a unique serial number to trace every single item. The system meets the ever increasingly stringent food packaging regulations and the company will benefit from efficiencies in automation.

DISCONTINUATION OF ALS221/230/321/330

2007-09-28T13:28:00.000+01:00

** Announcement **

After 15 successful years of labelling millions of products Worldwide, the ALS200 and 300 series range of applicators will discontinue as of 31st December 2007.

LAST ORDERS! - Should you wish to order your final machines, orders must be placed before 30th November 2007. In order to continue our support and service of these last machines and huge installed base, spares will be available for a minimum of 5 years.

EVEN BETTER - The new Compact Class ALS104, 204 and 206 introduction has proved remarkably successful over the last 12 months which has resulted in this announcement. Compact size, faster dispensing speeds, high build quality, IP-65 protection, RFID-enabled, user-friendly multi-functional display and easy integration are just a few of the attributes of the new generation machines.
OFFER - Should you wish to upgrade your existing ALS labelling heads – as many of our customers already have – then please contact us. An excellent part exchange offer is available (subject to survey).
2 YEAR WARRANTY - The new generation machines come complete with the Advanced Labelling Systems 2-year on-site parts and labour warranty, backed up by our team of fully trained Service Engineers.

Your regional ALS Sales Engineer is available to discuss any labelling questions that you may have. Just call us on 01844 213177

A Decade of Labelling Excellence

2007-05-01T13:27:00.002+01:00

Formed in 1996 and started trading in 1997, Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd, was started by Noel Donaldson as a management buy-out of the Avery Dennison UK Labelling Machinery Division. Critical to the success of the new venture, all key staff relocated from Wooburn Green, Bucks to new premises at Thame, Oxfordshire. Today, still family-owned and financially independent, ALS has grown and built its customer base on well-built products, competitive prices and first class service. On day one, the industry unique ALS 2-Year on-site warranty was introduced for all UK customers of our label applicators and print & apply systems. Most competitors to ALS thought it was just a gimmick or short-term promotion but 10 years on, its still there! Never before, nor since, has a UK labelling company provided such a fully comprehensive warranty that included, parts, travel and labour for the first two years of ownership. In the last ten years we have seen labelling trends come and go but as more and more emphasis is on speed, control, accuracy and verification it has taken us further into application PC and PLC software development and made us experts in product handling, sensors, barcode readers, RFID and vision inspection system technology. A far cry from when Noel started his career in labelling as an engineer at Avery, back in the 70’s, when the old clutch and brake labellers started getting replaced by the new stepper motor technology! ALS sees the next ten years as both a time of challenge and opportunity. By listening to their customers and adapting to supplying what the industry demands, always evolving and never standing still, ALS believes it will continue to thrive and enjoy a further ten years of success.

Now It’s Sure To Rain!!! - UK Salad Producer Takes 3 Rotary Labellers

2007-04-27T13:40:00.003+01:00

Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd of Thame, Oxon has installed three high-speed rotary labelling systems over a two month period, to a major prepared salad producer in the East of England, right on time for the Easter product re-launch. The company is the dominant supplier of potato salads, coleslaws and other related products to the UK’s main supermarket retailers. The new design of packaging presented numerous challenges, where a front and back label is applied to the curved and angled faces of the very flexible container, along with a top label on the recessed lid. One of biggest orders for ALS in 2006, uses a highly modified version of the high-speed ALS 350 labelling head for throughput and accuracy. Three labellers were built on each of the three, ten platform rotary bases, manufactured for ALS by KHS in Hamburg. At 260 products per minute, per machine, 24 hours per day, the result is one of the highest labelled throughput of salad in the country and a new look for an established product, which substantially boosted sales for the same Easter period last year, by nearly 50%. They are now all set for later on in the year when, incredibly, their busiest production will actually be Christmas! So that’s what you’ve been eating with all that left-over turkey!

ALS 10 Year Celebration

2007-04-20T14:06:00.001+01:00

A family fun-day for all ALS employees, their families and even some previous employees and select suppliers, was held at the Tythe Barn, Launton, Oxon - a fabulous setting for everyone to relax, eat, drink and where the kids (of all ages!!!) had a go at some games, challenges and tasks. In a garden party-type atmosphere, helped by being the only hot sunny day of the summer, everyone had a great time and for many, to ponder on just where did the last 10 years go to?!!!